Here is a list with the top historical sites around the world. These are sites that all travelers should visit. These ruins and monuments are part of the shared history of humankind. These ruins and monuments show how humanity has evolved as a race and as a civilization.
Explore remarkable sites that demonstrate human innovation has not waned. From George Washington’s home to London’s Tower of London, these incredible historical places stand as monuments of humanity’s past and future.
Pompeii Italy
Pompeii lies southwest of Naples and was destroyed by Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 AD. It was covered with layers of ash and pumice for centuries before finally emerging as an archaeological site to be explored today.
Pompeii can easily be explored independently or with an expert guide, taking most leisure tourists half a day. Wear comfortable shoes and consider an audio guide in order to understand its significance in Roman life as you explore its ruins.
Many of Pompeii’s remaining structures date back to the 6th century BCE when the town became a hub of trade and commerce. At this time, the Forum was expanded, large high-status homes replaced smaller ones and temples dedicated to various gods were constructed as well as temples dedicated to individuals.
Lupanar brothel offered exquisitely-preserved erotic frescos, while the Terme Stabiane baths featured well-preserved rooms adorned with plaster statues known as mummies (also called “termites”). At Necropolis tombs with elaborate garden designs can be seen along with vines planted 2000 years ago (vineyards can also be seen within their ruins).
Taj Mahal India
The Taj Mahal is one of the world’s most captivating monuments and must-sees when visiting India. A stunning example of Mughal architecture that stands as an expression of love and devotion, it makes an unforgettable spectacle and must-see attraction.
Shah Jahan constructed this magnificent white marble mausoleum for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal as her tomb. Construction took 22 years and now belongs to UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, delighting visitors with its symmetrical beauty, inlaid precious stones, carvings and gardens.
The Taj Mahal is a favorite attraction among couples, particularly around Valentine’s Day. However, on Fridays the structure is closed to allow Muslims to pray at its adjoining mosque to its west. Hiring a guide may also prove advantageous in getting great photos as well as giving insight into its fascinating history.
Hagia Sophia Turkey
Hagia Sophia, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Istanbul, Turkey, attracts millions of visitors every year due to its incredible beauty that stands the test of time and represents humanity’s various cultures and religions. With its breathtaking dome, monolithic marble pillars and mosaics are unrivalled anywhere else on Earth.
The Christian church was constructed under Emperor Justinian and dedicated in 537. Due to its impressive grandeur, its nickname became “Church of Holy Wisdom.” A source of great pride for Byzantium residents. Tales were told about miracles occurring there while its unique beauty attracted medieval travelers from all around Europe.
After Justinian’s rule ended and Ottoman conquered his city, this building was converted into a mosque; Christian ornamentation was removed while Islamic calligraphy was added to its interior.
Today, Hagia Sophia serves as a museum and remains a popular tourist destination for both Muslims and Christians alike. To experience its full charms, guided tours are the best way to see it. It is conveniently located on Istanbul’s European side with easy access by car or metro from downtown Istanbul.
Rideau Canal Canada
The Rideau Canal winds its way gracefully through Ottawa’s historic downtown core, making an essential stop on any tour of Ottawa. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, visitors can tour it by land, boat and even skating year-round!
The Canal was initially constructed as part of Colonel John By’s design to address military needs during the War of 1812. Although originally meant as an effective defensive barrier against supply ships from America crossing over onto territory near New York borders, its purpose has since expanded into becoming a vital commercial route, creating economic development between Ottawa and Kingston.
Today, the Canal has become a recreational boaters’ haven and one of North America’s best preserved canal systems with many original lockhouses still standing. You can drive along its length or take one of many luxury cruises or guided boat tours. Owners of canoes and boats navigate along its waters. With weather permitting andunder safe conditions, skaters can even commute to work during the winter!
Touring the canal is like entering a living history museum with many original structures still standing today. Chafey’s Lock is an essential destination and makes for the ideal romantic evening stay in a charming canal cottage. Westport provides lots of shops, restaurants and ice cream shops while Newboro hosts one of its iconic landmarks – the Newboro Loon!
Great Sphinx of Giza Egypt
The Great Sphinx of Giza can be found on Egypt’s Giza Plateau west of Cairo. This massive statue, featuring both human and lion elements, has become one of the world’s most iconic sculptures since it was constructed over 4,500 years ago and remains as the largest freestanding sculpture to remain from ancient times. It appears to represent the pharaoh Khafre
At least for most of its existence, it was protected from time and weather destruction by being submerged beneath layers of sand for most of its long lifetime. When Napoleon invaded Egypt in 1798, however, it was discovered. Efforts by various antiquarians such as Giovanni Battista Caviglia, Auguste Mariette, and Gaston Maspero to clear away the sand proved futile. Eventually, most of it was uncovered.
The Sphinx has no nose. Some historians thought is was shot off by soldiers during Napoleon’s French military campaign in Egypt, but this is unlikely. Earlier references were made much earlier to its loss. Also there have been various stories regarding a hidden chamber inside of the Sphinx, but no definitive proof exists to back these up. Instead, numerous shafts and tunnels have been identified within its body or below it.
Stonehenge England
Stonehenge is one of the world’s most mysterious prehistoric monuments, located on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England and constructed over time beginning around 3100 BCE by Neolithic Britons. Construction began as an earthwork known as a “henge”, later to be added onto by 80 larger Sarsen stones and an elaborate bluestone circle weighing 30 tons each that may have come from as far as 150 miles away in Wales.
Trilithons arranged into an inner horseshoe-shaped group are believed to have been aligned with sunset on summer solstice and sunrise on midwinter solstice, respectively. A parallel pair of ditches and banks was added for further space definition, creating the appearance of a cross.
Stonehenge still inspires theories regarding its significance despite missing many of its original sarsen and bluestones- only 53 remain. It draws over one million visitors from all walks of life. Historically it represented spiritual freedom to those in 1960s counterculture. Today pagans use it for rituals while New Age travelers come here to experience its energy. Astronomer Gerald Hawkins once theorized that its arrangement might represent an advanced ancient computer calculating device but this theory has since been disproven.
Chichen Itza Mexico
Chichen Itza is one of Mexico’s most striking archaeological relics and an integral part of Mayan civilization, situated on an expansive complex in Yucatan and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. When visiting Mexico, Chichen Itza should not be missed!
El Castillo stands 98 feet tall and was constructed between the 9th and 12th centuries. This impressive pyramid boasts seven tiers and four staircases with 91 steps each, totaling 364 stairs that represent each day in a year. El Castillo is also notable for a magical phenomenon that occurs on spring and fall equinoxes when sunlight reflects off its side in such a way that makes it appear as though a plumed snake was crawling down it!
Chichen Itza’s other structures include the Temple of Warriors and Great Ball Court, both located on the Great North Platform with other temples and platforms. Furthermore, there’s even a Sacred Cenote (water hole or pit) which was dug by American consul Edward Herbert Thompson between 1904 and 1910 – plus other smaller cenotes dredged from below ground levels! These cenotes represented a duality – between life and death.
Acropolis Greece
For centuries, Athens’ Acropolis has stood as a monument of Greece and its culture. Witnessing some of its most momentous historic events – even serving as an anchor against foreign invasions – it has served as an inspirational icon that unifies all Greeks against foreign forces.
The Acropolis towers above Athens, and is home to some of the city’s most striking structures such as the Parthenon. Dedicated to goddess Athena and famous for its marble columns clad with bright-white marble tiles. Furthermore, its frieze depicts scenes from mythological meetings and battles depicted on its frieze.
Other buildings on the Acropolis include the Erechtheion and Propylaea. The latter was constructed as a gateway to protect the Parthenon, with beautiful marble walls decorated with fantastical depictions of divine conferences or other mythological activities.
If you want to visit the Acropolis without large crowds, try visiting in spring and autumn when weather conditions will still be favorable; but temperatures won’t be as scorching and humid. Plus, cruise ship crowds won’t occupy this iconic landmark during these periods!
